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In their own words: what Midwesterners are saying on wind power

The energy sector can be a technical
and wonky place, with a lot of jargon around public utilities commission dockets,
integrated resource plans, and electricity rate design and transmission issues.

But renewable sources of energy like
wind and solar do something remarkable – they safely enable energy production
to be shifted from faraway centralized plants to local homes, farms, churches,
businesses, and communities. And that’s providing a chance for more people in
many more places to get involved in this important part of the U.S. economy.

During this first ever American
Wind Week – a week devoted to talking about wind energy -- let’s hear what some
of the people involved with wind energy around the Midwest have had to say in
recent months in the news, on blogs, and at local meetings, hearings and
events, in their own words:

“That’s income they can count on,
rain or shine.”

That’s Christina Dexter, with the South Dakota Farmers Union,
talking about the millions of dollars in lease payments helping ranchers and
farmers in her state who are hosting turbines on their land. In South Dakota,
wind is currently providing about 30 percent of the state’s electricity, and
supports nearly 2,000 jobs.

“Having windmills on your property might generate $30,000 a year, and
that money goes directly back into the community. Whether it’s in goods or
services, to the auto dealership or upgrading your house, it’s a huge financial
benefit to the community.”

That’s John Hardman, a farmer in Gratiot County in central
Michigan, where a wind project has helped make possible infrastructure upgrades
like roads as well as better support for fire and rescue, road maintenance, and
schools.

“The wind farms, for our district, have been a wonderful
contribution to the educational capabilities that we have here at
Akron-Fairgrove."

That’s Diane Foster, superintendent of the Akron-Fairgrove
Public School District in Michigan’s ‘thumb’ region. School upgrades made
possible by revenues from wind farms have included addition of a drama program
and stage for school and community productions, a new technology program, a new
community center at the high school, and upgrades to school entries,
electrical, lighting, buses, lockers, windows, boilers, bleachers, and parking
lots.

According to
the American Wind Energy Association’s analysis of Michigan Department of
Treasury data for 2011-2015, countywide tax bases increased by 38 percent, 34 percent and 26 percent,
respectively, in the three Michigan counties where wind development is most
active (Gratiot, Huron and Tuscola counties). In addition to tax revenues from wind projects, there’s also
economic stimulus during the construction phase. The
Gratiot County Wind project in Michigan generated more than $30 million in
direct payments to Michigan construction contractors and material and equipment
suppliers, according to
DTE Energy, and about three quarters of a million
dollars was spent with local suppliers for food, lodging and other expenses.

“We have generations of farmers in
our community. We all know the challenge of agriculture, considering weather,
markets and production. For some farmers it’s becoming a financial burden to
bring children into the operation. Now wind energy is offering these families
an additional way to help support future generations of farmers.”

That’s Dick
Kirksey, a resident in Clay County, Iowa, who spoke recently along with
other area residents at a local zoning commission meeting considering a new wind
project expected to provide power for about 100,000 homes for 30 years,
generate $40 million in landowner payments and 250 full-time jobs during
construction.

The Republican
governor of Iowa, Kim Reynolds, just recently authored a column outlining why
her state emphasizes wind and solar. “We’ve found
that renewable energy distinguishes Iowa from other industrialized states
competing for projects. That’s why we don’t just mention wind energy on
recruitment trips – we lead with it,” Governor Reynolds wrote. “Last year, nearly 37 percent of Iowa’s power came from
wind. Wind energy brings 9,000 jobs and more than $13.5 billion in investments
— and we’ve done it all without sacrificing price or reliability. In fact, Iowa
has the most reliable electric grid in the country.”

“You might
recognize Republic, because it looks a lot like rural America. We have two mom
and pop restaurants, a lumber yard and a hardware store, a local elevator that
supports farmers and agriculture. There’s no manufacturing, there’s no retail
outlet stores in Republic. The wind project is extremely important to our
community. My friends and neighbors look forward to the opportunity to farm the
wind as a resource and let that resource provide for their families.”

That’s Gary Baldosser – who farms corn, soybeans,
wheat and cattle in the village of Republic in Seneca County, Ohio – telling
state legislators why he wants to participate in a new wind project being
proposed for his area. Baldosser, a fourth-generation farmer and 27-year
volunteer firefighter, explained in his testimony to state officials how
important the diversification of income will be toward being able to give the
next generation the opportunity to continue farming.

“Wind has become very, very
important to Mower County, its taxpayers and our environment.”

That’s Tim Gabrielson, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for
Mower County, Minnesota. Wind projects in Mower County have contributed $2.3
million in tax revenue, about $400,000 of which is going toward funding local
road and bridge work, and the remainder toward tax relief for residents.
Statewide, Minnesota has seen nearly $7 billion in investment from wind, and the state now ranks in the top 10
nationally for both wind installations and the total share of electrical
generation being produced by wind turbines.

“In Minnesota, wind-related jobs
are found from corner to corner. The Port of Duluth expertly handles wind
turbine component shipments, our railroads and specialized trucking companies
transport parts across the nation. And, steel from our Iron Range is used to
manufacture towers in Wisconsin.”

That’s Chris
Thomas, who lives in Hadley/Lake Wilson in southwestern Minnesota and works for
EDF Renewable Energy. Chris moved with his family to Minnesota about 10 years
ago because of his experience in wind energy the potential in the state for his
and his family’s future. “My children attended school in Minnesota, and we
bought and remodeled a home here. We are grateful for my job and opportunities
and benefits that we have,” Chris wrote in a column in the Marshall Independent
on Minnesota jobs and economic activity connected to the wind industry.

Those are just some of the voices
being heard on wind energy around our region recently. We know there will
continue to be many, many more.